I just finished treatment for recurrence (from 11 1/2 years ago ) --to the area on/ near the pectoral muscle on my masectomy site. That surgery was in July 1996--followed by chemo, radiation, and tamoxifen (even though at the time I was estrogen negative). I had a few positive nodes.** In Dec. 2007--my blood tumor marker CA 15-3(in Canada) jumped from 35 to 45..AND then proper investigation led to a diagnosis .Previously for about 1 year they had insisted that the new swelling on my pectoral muscle was lymphodema--like my arm!! (My usual oncologist was away on a research/personal leave)

After my recent chemo(docetaxol)- and radiation, the mass reduced minimally to about 1 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 inches.It's not that certain on a CT scan --as to the status of those cells. Now a thoracic surgeon(who advises my breast surgeon) has ordered an MRI and a PET scan to determine if surgery is possible--- as the cells are close to my collar bone and 2 ribs.

I am going thru something similar with a swelling above my mastectomy scar so waiting to be scheduled for a PET scan and also going to find a new Oncologist but I am not sure where the best hospitals would be.

I will start a new topic in the Talk forum and see if members will write in with whom they think is a good place to go.

If they can resect the tumor with clear margin, that would be preferable. But if they can't reasonably do resection, it doesn't mean that you can't have a treatment. Although you won't qualify for hormonal therapies, there are many chemotherapies other than Docetaxel/Taxotere to choose from.

As far as good BC centers, I'm not sure if I know anything more than others here. On the westcoast in Seattle there's Cancer Centers of America and there's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. If you're willing to travel further south, there's MD Anderson in Houston TX that's known from being aggressive. But again, it all depends whether what you're looking for. Whether you're just seeking 2nd opinion (for oncology or for surgery or both), or you're looking to be treated there. For oncological consult or treatment for TNBC, you can try dr. Lisa Carey at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC.

I had right side mastectomy 06, left side mastectomy in 08, malignant melanoma in 07. It is now march of 2010, I have a small lump about 1 inch under mastectomy scar. My plastic surgeon who did all my reconstruction is removing it. What are the chances that this is NOT another cancer?

The only way you'll find out is to have it biopsied, unfortunately. The same thing happened to me and unfortunately is was canSer. But, it is rare to have a chest wall recurrence, like 5% chance. So, it very easily could be benign!

Did you ever get any information regarding your recurrenct to pectoral muscle in Tn? What are the symptoms I am curious as I am 3 years post mastectomy with taxotore & Cytoxin and then radiation. About the last couple of months I have had chest wall pain feels like it is my bones but x-ray & bone scan do not show anything. My primary doctor thinks it is costocartlidge ribs that connect to the sternum that is causing the pain. May take more tests after I recover from shoulder & hand surgery on the opposite side. We will see if any of the pain meds & inflammatory meds that I will be taking for that to see if it clears up both. Anyway if you get a chance let me know. Thanks.

I was diagnosed cancer, reacurance in pectoral muscle. The mass was discovered during my annual breast MRI.I was hoping have an update. Scared i was starting to feel excited making it to the 5 year markLiz

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